Why do some people breakout after hair removal?
This is going to the the first of many posts about the possible causes of acne. I say possible because what may cause one person to break out might not necessarily be the cause for another person. When I am sitting with a client going over a consultation, I feel like an investigator, asking tons of questions and trying to formulate a reason (besides hereditary which is a big factor) that might be causing their flair ups.
With hair removal, you might be trading one complexion issue (facial hair) for another (clogged pores or breakouts). Why does this happen?! Waxing, tweezing, threading, shaving and depilatories can make skin tissue swell, sending acne-causing bacteria and skin cells deeper into pores.
An itchy type rash may occur after waxing, this is not acne. This happened to me right after my first wax and every wax since then. It is an adverse reaction and usually goes away in a day or two. I always applied 1% hydrocortisone cream after waxing.
To reduce bacteria on the skin, clean hairy areas thoroughly before de-fuzzing and use products labeled “noncomedogenic,” which means they won’t clog your pores. I would also use some benzoyl peroxide a day or two after waxing just to keep the acne at bay.
